New Museum
New Museum
In 2009, the Museum acquired just under an acre of land in Agargaon, Dhaka, to construct a full-fledged museum. A country-wide competition was floated and out of 70 entries for the architectural design, a jury board, some of whose members were overseas experts, selected a design which currently is being erected. The new building has been inaugurated by the Honourable Prime Minister of the country, Sheikh Hasina on April 16, 2017. The new building has the following features:
1. Regular gallery space for displays: 3,500 sqm.
2. Temporary gallery for exhibitions, which meets the IMO and other international specifications: 500 sqm.
3. Library and research centre, 300 sqm.
4. Space for two Institutes, The Institute for Liberation War Studies and the Centre for the Study in Genocide and Justice
5. An amphitheatre for holding school programmes
6. An covered and open space for assembly which can also be used as additional viewing area with large-screen projectors in case of visitor overflow from the auditorium
7. Stage and auditorium, equipped with latest sound and light systems seating 260 people
8. Three seminar rooms, the largest of which has space for 50 people
9. Archive and processing lab. which meet international requirements for archiving
10. Gas suppression systems for the archive and the data storage areas and sprinkler system for the rest
11. Parking for 106 cars
12. Kiosk, canteen and a space for “adda”
Although not classified as “green”, the building has some features like conservation of rainwater, water reuse, LED lamps, and solar cells supplying part of the energy requirements which demonstrates the Museum’s commitment to the environment and society in general.